Saab 9-5 Review

The Saab 9-5 was first seen in 2005; since then its first upgrade only came in 2010. Despite the long wait, the latest Saab sports a look that it should have had a long time ago. At the same time, the design features some of the classic elements of Saab cars.

Pros

The Saab 9-5 comes with a wide range of engine choices. You can either have one of the two diesel options or any of the three petrol engines. All of the latest engines sport a better fuel economy than the previous model. There’s the 1.6-litre petrol engine at 176bhp and with 230Nm in pulling power. Expect the sprint from zero to 62mph to happen in 9.5 seconds. For faster performance, there’s the 2.8-litre V6 that packs in 296 bhp and pulls at 400Nm; it can also arrive at 62mph in just 6.9 seconds. The 2.0-litre diesels are available in two power outputs—there are the more powerful 187bhp that has 400Nm pulling power and the lower powered 158bhp that pulls at 350Nm. The former can go from 0 to 62mph after 8.8 seconds. You have the option of either getting an engine with six-speed automatic or manual gearboxes. But the 2.8-litre petrol offers the automatic gearbox as the standard.

If you’re after a motorway cruising experience, then the Saab 9-5 is the vehicle for you. We recommend getting the optional Drive Sense Control for sharper handling by the chassis. The system improves handling via three modes: comfort, sport, and intelligent. We recommend the Intelligent mode so that the car can adapt the suspension according to the drive’s acceleration and braking. The Saab 9-5 also impresses on long journeys.

Being a vehicle meant for long trips, all the seats sport good lumbar support for the back. The sportier models feature seats with side supports, assisting drivers as they turn into sharp corners.

The latest 9-5 features several improvements, such as more rear legroom, a U-shaped track on the boot floor, and more stowage spaces for better luggage distribution at the boot. This adds to the Saab 9-5’s main draw as a vehicle for long road trips.

Cons

The Saab 9-5 performs quite well on the road, but isn’t the best machine for high speeds. As previously mentioned, you’ll need the Drive Sense Control for improved handling on the chassis and suspension. Otherwise the vehicle performs well for basic drives around town and while going on motorway speeds.

The Saab 9-5 is a smart choice for those after an affordable yet comfortable cruiser. Looks wise it stands out, being a sure product of Saab. Its equipment and new features also impress and is a smart alternative to the pricier BMW and Audi counterparts. But if you’re after full on luxury, then you’ll have to be ready to invest in the higher-ranking brands. Compared the industry leaders, the Saab is limited in engine performance and luxury equipment. But otherwise you can benefit from the basic and advanced features of the latest Saab 9-5. From the diverse engine range, luxury upholstered seats, to the sleek new design that is disitinctively Saab, you can't go wrong with this long term investment.

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The Saab 9-5

The first generation of the Saab 9-5 was released as a sedan and as a station wagon in 1997. The executive car replaced the 1998 Saab 900. This generation was last Saab line to be powered by the Saab H engine. The 1999-2003 models received a lot of complaints on engine failures due to oil residue.

However, the car company’s focus on safety was not lost on the 9-5. The 9-5had airbags and active headrests to protect the passengers during crashes and other vehicular accidents.

The second generation was introduced in 2008 as a sedan and a station wagon. The engines powering these cars differed per region, using either the General Motors Ecotec or a V6. Despite garnering praises from auto critics and winning awards, the financial health of the car company affected the production of the Saab 9-5. In 2011, the automobile company declared bankruptcy. The National Electric Vehicle Sweden bought the car company in 2012. Because of this, the prototypes of the wagon version of the 9-5 was cancelled, although plans of production is set to restart once the company is financially stable.

The 9-5 was also used as police cars in several countries, including USA, UK, and Poland.